TalkingBoxing News
GOLDEN BOY’S NOVEMBER 25 CARD FINALIZED
FRI November 3 - GOLDEN BOY’S NOVEMBER 25 CARD FINALIZED
LOS ANGELES, November 3 – Despite rumors to the contrary, Golden Boy Promotions today confirmed that boxing superstar Juan Manuel Marquez will make the first defense of his WBO featherweight championship on Saturday, November 25th in an HBO Boxing After Dark-televised bout against hard-hitting contender Jimrex ‘The Executioner’ Jaca at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.
The 12 round championship match between Marquez (45-3-1, 34 KOs) and Jaca (27-2-1, 12 KOs) was originally scheduled for October 21st, but VISA issues caused the bout to be postponed until November 25th.
Also finalized for the HBO Boxing After Dark show is a 12 round junior welterweight showdown between unbeaten standout Demetrius ‘The Gladiator’ Hopkins (24-0-1, 10 KOs) to defend his USBA Title against hard-nosed Mexican battler Rogelio Castaneda Jr. (23-10-3, 8 KOs), who is unbeaten in his last eight bouts.
Showtime Press Conference Pics and Quotes: Liakhovich, Briggs, Diaz, Angulo
FRI November 3 - FIGHTING MAD: They don't meet until Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), but WBO heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich and challenger Shannon Briggs nearly came to blows before Wednesday's press conference in Phoenix .
When it was his turn to speak, Briggs continued his verbal assault on Liakhovich.
Calmer heads prevailed and headliners Liakhovich, Juan Diaz, promoter Don King, Fernando Angulo and Briggs posed after the press conference ended.
Diaz puts his WBA lightweight title and unbeaten record on the line against Angulo in the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING world title doubleheader at Chase Field in Phoenix.
SERGEI LIAKHOVICH (23-1, 14 KOs):
“I don’t know what to say to this guy (Briggs). He is so disrespectful. He has said so many things. On Nov. 4, I will hunt you down. This is not a joke. I am ready.”
KENNY WELDON – Liakhovich’s Trainer
“Briggs used to be one of my favorite fighters. I still like him. I know he has trained hard. We will give him as much respect as is necessary. Bring it on.”
IVAYLO GOTZEV – Liakhovich’s Manager
“The heavyweight title is going to stay in Phoenix.
“Briggs is a terrific opponent. He is a dangerous, dangerous man. I don’t think anybody has motivated Sergei as well as Briggs has.”
SHANNON BRIGGS (47-4-1, 41 KOs):
“I feel great and am in the greatest shape of my life. I was living my life and having fun, but I have to leave that behind.
“I have never really trained like this before in my career. I have must have gotten by on my natural talent and ability.
“I feel like Liakhovich is a very disrespectful guy. He has said some racial things. I was already going to kick his butt anyway.”
“There shouldn’t be a heavyweight champion from Russia. I am going to bring the title back to Brooklyn and America.
“We got him (Liakhovich). I have my home team with me. I’ve got my family. This is like a home fight for me. We brought in a guy (Maurice Harris) who kicked Liakhovich’s butt.
“I was supposed to fight Wladimir Klitschko. I waited by the fax machine for two months. Instead, they brought in Calvin Brock, who is going to sell two tickets – to his mom and dad.
“I am really a nice guy. I am a nicer looking guy when I shave, but I haven’t shaved my beard in eight weeks. I have had 100 rounds of sparring. I have never sparred or trained like this before.
“They should call this the ‘White King Hunt.’ ”
CHUCK MCGREGOR – Brigg’s Trainer
“Briggs is ready. His timing is there. He is over ready. He has too much energy at this point. I wish this fight was tomorrow. Now, I might have to train him for another day or two.”
JUAN DIAZ (30-0, 15 KOs):
“This is my third time fighting here in Phoenix. I love coming here. I feel like this is my home field because everyone is so nice
“I am here to open the show (SHOWTIME telecast). I want to prove that I am the 135-pound champion. I can be in there with the best and beat the best.
“To take my belt, they are going to have to carry me out of the ring.
“I give my sweat and tears to every training camp.
“A couple of years from now when I graduate from law school and am the mayor of Houston, I hope Don King comes down to vote for me.”
FERNANDO ANGULO (18-3, 12 KOs):
“I am sure I am going to win on Nov. 4. I am going to give a good fight. I hope you are not disappointed with the money you spend.”
Click thumbnails to enlarge the images:
Boxing Is Back in Minnesota
FRI NOVEMBER 3 --
Nov. 17 at Target Center in Minneapolis
A Minnesota all-star caliber pro boxing show billed, Boxing Is Back!, is on tap Friday night, November 17, featuring many local favorites including archrivals Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante and Matt "The Predator" Vanda in separate bouts, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Contender Season One star Bonsante (27-8, 15 KOs), of Shakopee (MN), takes on St. Paul super middleweight Troy "TNT" Lowry (27-6, 16 KOs), in the 10-round main event, while St. Paul middleweight Vanda (34-2, 21 KOs) faces upset minded Quandry "Candy" Robertson (14-9, 4 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.
"Boxing Is Back!" is presented by Seconds Out Promotions, owned and operated by former Minnesota pro boxer Tony Grygelko.
"We're bringing together Minnesota's best pro fighters," Grygelko said. "We've announced a series with the second show scheduled here in January. This unique series will determine the last Minnesota boxer standing. Our goal is to not only make the beautiful Target Center the Mecca of Boxing in Minnesota, but throughout the entire Midwest, where the best fighters around will want to fight. We've gone back to grassroots promoting in an effort to fill the house November 17. We want to create an upbeat, family oriented environment for boxing."
Bonsante has been calling out Vanda for nearly three years and an impressive victory against Lowry and win by Vanda could set-up a All-Minnesota dream match -- Bonsante-Vanda --in
January at the Target Center in the second show of Seconds Out Promotions' aforementioned boxing series.
In 2003, Bonsante registered an 11th round TKO of 31-1 Tony Ayala, Jr. for the vacant IBA super middleweight title. "All I've ever asked for was a shot at proving myself," Bonsante remarked. "This card and series gives me that chance. I'm in the best shape of my life."
Lowry is a seasoned veteran who only two fights ago upset 36-8-1 Santiago Samaniego by sixth-round technical decision. Troy also has been in the ring against the likes of former three-time world champion Hector "Macho" Camacho, Vanda, Yuri Foreman, Christopher Holt and Steve Roberts. "This is a tough fight," Lowry noted, "but a personal challenge I've worked hard to earn."
Vanda is coming off a disappointing loss (May 25) by eight-round majority decision to Martinus Clay, after Matt had won three in a row against former world champion "Yori Boy" Campas for the IBA Americas light middleweight title, Lowry and Patrick Thompson. Matt's opponent, "Candy" Robertson, has fought the iron including current WBO junior middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk, IBF light middleweight title challenger Carlos Bojorquez, and Carlos Quintana, who fights Miquel Cotto December 2 for the vacant WBA welterweight championship. "I can't afford another setback," Vanda commented. "This is a defining moment for me. I have to be able to win this fight to get my career back on track."
The chief supporting match on the undercard pits Minnesota light heavyweight champion Zack "Jungle Boy" Walters (15-1, 11 KOs), of Long Prairie (MN), against Columbian knockout artist Hugo Pineda (37-3-1, 27 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
Middleweight Andy Kolle (10-1, 8 KOs), of Fergus Falls (MN), faces Haitian hit man Julio Jean (7-9, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. In four-round matches, St. Louis Park (MN) featherweight Wilton Hilario (4-0, 4 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line in his stiffest test versus Edgar Vargas (9-3, 1 KO); Minneapolis super middleweight Phillip Williams (1-0, 1 KO) battles Jake Hecht (0-1); Minneapolis middleweight John Schmidt (1-0, 1 KO) meets an opponent to be determined. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, reasonably priced at $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00, are available at the Target Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 651.989.5151. VIP tables also are available.
Doors open at 6 PM, first bout at 7 PM. For more information call 612.673,1600 or go to www.targetcenter.com.
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